State of Origin | Will Mitchell Pearce play Game II?

NSW's Mitchell Pearce looks on after a QLD try during Game 3 of the State of Origin series between the NSW Blues and QLD Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Picture: Brett CostelloSource:News Corp Australia

NSW veteran Mitchell Pearce is reportedly being thrust back into the mix ahead of Game II as the Blues make drastic moves to rewrite the wrongs of last week’s choke at Suncorp.

FOX Sports league reporter James Hooper revealed debutant Cody Walker will be pushed aside to make room for the Knights halfback. Nathan Cleary will reportedly shift to the No. 6 jumper with Pearce taking over the role of chief playmaker.

Following Origin tradition, Fittler was ambiguous about his plans for Game II, which sits just five days away from Friday.

“I went and spoke to him after the game, we didn’t offer him (anything). I said ‘how you going mate, you played really well’,” Fittler said on Thursday night.

“He said, ‘yeah my groin is sore’. And the conversation ended there.”

Despite calls for his axing raining from the high heavens, Fittler showered praise on Cleary, declaring him one of the hardest workers in the state.

“I love everything Nathan does, he just works so hard,” he said. “He’s so tireless. He’ll get rewarded because doesn’t stop. He always wants to be the pitcher.”

As for gun Cronulla back Josh Dugan, a handful of strong performances is all that stands between him and a return to the Origin fold. Fittler said he had a chat to the 29-year-old prior to his barnstorming performance on Thursday night against the Raiders.

“He's 100kg and runs like the wind, he’s a weapon. Some more performances like that and he’ll be back in,” Fittler said.

Mitchell Pearce is reportedly back in the mix. But Brad Fittler won’t confirm anything.Source:Getty Images

Nathan Cleary will wear the 6 next to Pearce.Source:AAP

Meanwhile, NSW prop David Klemmer hopes to be available for the third and final Origin clash after fracturing a wrist in the series-opening loss to Queensland. The Newcastle front rower accepts he will not have recovered in time for the Blues’ must-win game in Perth on June 23, but he hopes to be available for the Sydney match on July 10.

Klemmer said he did not realise the extent of the injury until returning to training with the Knights.

“It was disappointing to lose and to find out I was injured as well was very frustrating as I’m a competitive person,” Klemmer said.

“I’ve rang Freddy (NSW coach Brad Fittler) and let him know that I’ll do all I can to get to game three. Everything’s on markto get there.”

Klemmer was confident his replacement would do an admirable job in his absence as NSW aim to square the ledger at Optus Stadium.

Matt Lodge and Jordan McLean had been mentioned as possible options but the latter now appears to be out of action with ahamstring injury picked up in North Queensland’s loss to Manly.

“All the names getting tossed around are great footballers,” he said.

“I’d be happy for anyone to make their debut. I’m excited to hear who they pick. I’ll back them to do the job.” Klemmer also touted fellow Newcastle prop Daniel Saifiti for a call-up and threw his weight behind Pearce for a blazing return to the sky blue jumper.

“I’m surprised he’s not being talked about for Origin,” Klemmer said of Saifiti. “He’s mentally tough and he’s a strong player ... he wouldn’t look out of place in an Origin journey.” He added Pearce should be considered in the halves on the back of a strong season.

“He deserves to be there, he should have been picked,”

Klemmer said. Meanwhile, Klemmer realised the fifth-placed Knights need to lift their game against the NRL-leading Storm in Melbourne on Saturday.

“They really lifted on Friday (against the Roosters) but we’ve got to go another level.”